soundboards

[Robin Hufford]

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Hello John,
     I agree with you completely.  Many older pianos, as I have 
indicated here before, have, at least to my ear and that of many others, 
a more musical, expressive sound.  Nor do they particularly lack 
sustain, although this certainly can occur.  Where they do there are, in 
the large majority of cases, conditions that can be corrected with some 
work.  As to sound, there is little doubt of this amongst musicians, in 
general and, especially, among piano players, who have to make the 
instrument do what it is designed for, that is, produce music. 
     On this subject there is, however, substantial skepticism, among 
technicians, especially here, who don't play, or, only play in a very 
limited way.  These individuals obviously don't judge sound by the 
methods, whatever they are, of musicians, nor do they reach similar 
conclusions.  So, I would stick with what, actually, sounds good.  Nor, 
are their analyses, whatever they say, particularly 
scientifically-based, whatever the illusion given.    The so-called 
analyses presented here are, in my mind, elaborate rationalizations for 
the joys of woodworking and, although superficially scientific sounding, 
are gross oversimplifications for soundboard functions.   Vague 
pronouncements about stiffness here and there, diffuse claims regarding 
impedance, sneering asides as to the much derided "circle of sound", 
confident assertions of "compression failure" etc. are only partially 
correct, if at all and should be taken with a grain of salt.  So, I 
would stick with what sounds best and not, allow myself, as some appear 
to have done,  to be sold a bill of goods.
Regards Robin Hufford, RPT
   

Bec and John wrote:

> Hi Dale,
>
> We are coming at this from 2 different perspectives! The method of 
> crowning used for the soundboard is not an issue I'm considering, I'm 
> just relaying my ear's perspective based on my experience.
>
> My 80 year Steinway L has 2 very thin cracks, has crown and a warmth 
> of sound I haven't heard in new L's, and I live in the northeast which 
> has large humidity swings - I don't even notice any significant lack 
> of sustain in any particular section. But even if my piano had cracks 
> galore, say like one of my friends' old Mason and Hamlin A (which 
> incidentally sounds quite nice), what difference does that make if it 
> has a more pleasing sound than a new one with no cracks?
>
> -- John
>
>
>        HI John
>       I think you've hit a VERY SIGNIFICANT cause of our objections to
>     new the new piano shaped objects being sold at Costco or wherever.
>       .Yeah The Hammers. Yes, & voicing,  or a hammer transplant can
>     seriously improve things And yet if the soundboard design &
>     execution is lacking then the musical tone index goes down & the
>     noise & aural pain index goes up.
>       My experience ,with most old Os & Ls from the 20's. is The rib
>     support in these pianos is so lacking that 9 out of 10 boards I
>     see in these pianos are flat as pancakes and or have as many
>     cracks as a venetian blind.
>      Now remember I'm in Calif. where pianos longevity is greatly
>     enhanced by our climate. Providing that the pianos lived here most
>     of there lives they've suffered less.. So what does that tell you
>     about the conditions of others that have groaned thru harsh
>     winters & summers?
>        My Advice to all is stop being so optimistic about the
>     condition of old compression crowned boards. It's a method full of
>     pitfalls which is a self destructing method in which all crown has
>     collapsed by now  in pianos built 85 plus years ago
>       Regards
>       Dale
>
>

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